Penalty breaks Wicklow hearts
Improving Carlow side up next
WICKLOW RFC 11 CLONDALKIN RFC 13
A WICKLOW SIDE decimated by injury and suspension welcomed second placed Clondalkin to Ashtown lane on Sunday afternoon for a make or break game in the Leinster league. Both sides needed a win in their attempt to secure second place in this competitive league.
Wicklow started well and were first to score with a well taken try from Fran Cooney who did well to crash over after some good work by Ronan Monahan and Liam Fenton. The conversion was missed but Wicklow lead 5-0.
Clondalkin hit back with a penalty to bring the scores to 5-3. Wicklow continued to press and on the stroke of halftime were rewarded with a penalty which Ben Porter converted. This brought the score to 8-3 at the break. The Clondalkin number 8 was then sin binned.
Early in the second half Wicklow conceded a penalty and Barry Hurley was sent for a rest on the sideline. The penalty was missed. Wicklow were struggling and both scrum and lineout time with so many key players missing.
With 20 minutes remaining Clondalkin broke from a scrum and scored a disappointing try beneath the posts. The simple conversion made it 8-10 to Clondalkin.
Wicklow didn't panic and worked their way back up field where they forced the concession of another penalty with 10 minutes to go. Ben Porter struck it sweetly and Wicklow were back in front. 11-10.
Clondalkin continued to pressurise Wicklow who were really struggling to secure any possession at the set piece. Eventually a penalty was awarded on the touch line on the Wicklow 22.
The Clondalkin out half curled in a superb kick to break Wicklow hearts and take the lead 11-13.
There were two minutes left on the clock but try as they might Wicklow couldn't get the break through.
The final whistle went and Clondalkin celebrated. Wicklow lie in joint third with three games to go.
Wicklow travel away to Carlow next Sunday to face an improving Carlow side. The following week Wicklow travel to Skerries for the first round of the Provincial Towns Cup
Team: Timmy O'Donovan, Joe Duffy, Paddy Jameson, Noel Greene, Liam Hughes, Barry Hurley, Liam Fenton, Ronan Monahan, Dennis Higgins, Mark Higgins, Russell Andrew, Ken Copeland, Fran Cooney, Ben Mangan, Ben Porter. Subs: Simon Norton, Stu Donohue, Ally Byrne, Barra Kuntz.